UNIVERSITY   OF   CALIFORNIA. 

AGRICULTURAL  EXPERIMENT  STATION. 

BERKELEY,  CAL. 
E.  W.  HILGARD,  Director.  BULLETIN  No.  109. 


DISTRIBUTION  OF  SEEDS  AND  PLANTS. 


NOVEMBER,  1895. 


DISTRIBUTION  OF  SEEDS  AND  PLANTS. 


By  E.  J.  Wickson,  Associate  Professor  of  Agriculture. 


The  branch  of  the  work  of  our  station  which  relates  to  the  introduc- 
tion and  trial  of  economic  plants  from  all  parts  of  the  world,  is  steadily 
advancing,  and  commanding  wider  public  interest.  Our  plan  of  dis- 
tributing to  volunteer  experimenters,  plants  or  seeds  of  those  growths 
which  seem  most  promising  after  trial  upon  the  grounds  of  our  own 
stations,  seems  to  commend  itself  more  and  more  each  year  to  the  people 
of  the  State.  The  extent  to  which  this  work  has  attained  is  clearly 
shown  in  the  following  brief  summary  of  the  materials  distributed  and 
the  applicants  supplied  during  the  last  ten  years: 

Ounces  of  Seeds  Distributed,  1886-94- 

Cereals . _ 17,016 

Fiber  plants ' _ 2,580 

Forage  plants 12,887 

Vegetables 7,316 

Trees.. 2,139 

Miscellaneous 2,292 

Numbers  of  Plants  and  Scions,  same  period. 

Trees  of  30  kinds 6,150 

Fiber  plants... 1,530 

Forage  plants  (roots) _ 14,770 

Grapes,  figs,  and  olives  (cuttings  and  rooted) 18,084 

Mulberries  and  osier  willows  (cuttings  and  rooted) 13,105 

Miscellaneous 3,618 

The  increasing  popular  interest  in  the  distribution  is  also  seen  in  the 
fact  that  925  applicants  were  supplied  with  seeds  and  plants  last  year, 
as  compared  with  410  in  the  preceding  year.  Material  was  sent  last 
year  to  applicants  at  382  post  offices  in  53  counties  of  California. 

AIMS    AND    METHODS    OF    DISTRIBUTION. 

To  reduce  as  much  as  practicable  the  vast  amount  of  correspondence 
which  is  entailed  upon  the  station  by  the  distribution,  we  desire  that 
the  following  points  should  be  carefully  considered  by  all  applicants: 

First — Do  not  apply  for  seeds  or  plants  unless  you  will  report  results 
of  trial  from  time  to  time,  until  the  success  or  failure  of  each  growth  is 
demonstrated. 

Second — Do  not  apply  for  things  not  mentioned  in  this  bulletin.  We 
cannot  usually  supply  things  previously  offered  for  distribution.  Do 
not  apply  for  common  garden  seeds,  fruit  trees,  or  ornamentals,  which 
can  be  purchased  at  seed  stores  or  nurseries.     We  cannot  supply  them. 

Third — Do  not  make  a  general  request  "  for  anything  which  will  do 
in  this  locality."  Apply  specifically  for  what  interests  you,  or  may 
prove  of  value  to  you. 


—    4    - 

Fourth — We  cannot  undertake  distribution  to  citizens  of  other  States, 
except  in  exchange  for  something  which  we  desire  for  trial. 

Fifth — We  require  the  applicant  to  pay  a  small  amount  for  each 
thing  received,  partly  to  bear  the  cost  of  distribution,  but  chiefly  as  a 
guaranty  that  he  has  not  merely  an  idle  desire  for  what  can  be  had  for 
nothing,  but  intends  to  make  trial  for  a  definite  end  and  will  report 
results  to  us. 

Terms. — For  the  reasons  above  stated  applicants  are  requested  to 
send  the  amount  specified  in  connection  with  each  description  below  to 
meet  the  expenses  of  packing  and  postage.  If  they  desire  seeds  sent 
by  express  applicants  need  not  send  the  amounts  specified  for  postage, 
but  all  orders  for  seeds  by  express  must  be  accompanied  by  a  remittance 
of  one  third  of  the  amount  specified,  to  pay  for  packing.  Express  charges 
are  paid  by  the  recipient.  Applications  may  be  made  for  one  or  more 
kinds  of  seeds,  but  an  applicant  should  not  order  more  than  one  package 
of  a  kind.  If  the  supply  of  any  kind  of  seed  becomes  exhausted,  the 
money  will  be  returned,  unless  a  second  choice  is  mentioned  by  the 
sender.  Postal  notes  are  requested  instead  of  stamps  whenever  practi- 
cable. Any  surplus  left  after  filling  orders  will,  as  far  as  possible,  be 
returned  to  the  senders,  deducting  letter  postage. 

PLANTS   FOR   GREEN-MANURING. 

Green-manuring  is  intended  to  return  to  the  land  the  entire  mass  of 
one  crop,  for  the  benefit  of  one  or  more  succeeding  ones.  In  doing  this, 
we  expend  in  seed  and  cultivation  a  certain  amount  of  money,  which 
might  have  been  used  for  the  purchase  of  fertilizers  instead;  hence, 
it  is  very  important  that  the  benefits  to  be  derived  from  either  mode 
of  expenditure  be  fully  considered.  If,  for  instance,  the  growing  of  a 
green-manuring  crop  involves  the  loss  of  one  year's  time  and  market 
crop,  it  may  prove  more  expensive  than  the  purchase  of  the  fertilizer 
producing  the  same  effect. 

We  will,  first  of  all,  then  look  for  a  crop  of  rapid  development,  which 
can  be  grown  between  harvest  and  seeding  time,  if  possible;  or,  which 
at  least  will,  after  one  cutting,  still  grow  a  sufficient  mass  of  vegetable 
matter  to  render  its  turning-under  a  paying  operation. 

The  next  point  we  should  consider  is  that  the  mass  of  vegetation  to 
be  plowed  under  should  be  as  large  as  possible. 

And  finally,  we  should  seek  for  plants  that  will  not  only  return  to  the 
soil  that  which  they  took  from  it,  but  something  more,  by  way  of  interest 
on  the  investment.  It  is  evidently  desirable  that  the  substance  of  the 
plant  used  should,  as  far  as  possible,  be  taken  from  a  soil  layer  different 
from  that  which  is  specially  drawn  upon  by  the  coming  crop.  The 
grains  and  true  grasses,  with  their  shallow  roots,  draw  chiefly  upon  the 
surface  soil;  hence,  the  green  crop  intended  for  their  benefit  should  in 
the  main  be  made  to  draw  upon  the  subsoil  by  the  choice  of  deep-rooted 
plants.  Rye  and  other  cereals,  and  true  grasses,  in  their  decay,  give  to 
the  soil  little  or  nothing  that  was  not  already  in  the  surface  soil. 

While  this  is  true  of  the  grasses,  properly  so  called,  it  is  quite  other- 
wise with  the  clovers  and  their  related  plants,  such  as  peas,  beans, 
vetches,  etc.  These  plants  not  only  have  deep  roots,  by  which  they 
bring  up  from  the  subsoil  plant-food  beyond  the  reach  of  cereal  crops, 


but  also  take  from  the  air,  indirectly,  large  amounts  of  that  most  costly 
of  all  plant-foods,  nitrogen,  by  means  of  little  excrescences  developed 
on  their  roots.  From  this  cause  they  have,  from  remote  times  down  to 
the  present,  been  considered  and  used  as  soil  improvers;  hence,  it  is 
among  these  "legumes"  that  we  should  primarily  seek  for  crops  suit- 
able for  green-manuring.  Red  clover  being  unavailable  in  California, 
and  alfalfa  difficult  to  handle  for  the  purpose,  we  have  long  sought  for 
some  other  suitable  crop  fulfilling  the  above  conditions.  Another 
important  requirement  is  that  the  plant  chosen  should  make  a  free 
growth  during  the  winter,  so  that  a  good  amount  of  green  stuff  can  be 
ready  for  plowing  under  early  in  the  spring,  and  the  ground  brought 
into  good  surface  tilth  to  conserve  moisture. 

Viewing  these  local  requirements,  the  two  plants  first  mentioned  below 
seem  to  be  promising: 

Snail  Clover  (Medicago  turbinata). — This  plant  is  a  native  of  south- 
western Spain,  and  has  shown  value  as  a  winter  forage  plant  in  this 
State.  It  is  closely  related  to  the  "burr  clover,"  but  it  has  a  larger 
seed-pod,  which  is  smooth  and  more  abundantly  produced,  and  there- 
fore the  plant  is  superior  as  a  dry  forage  plant  for  stock.  The  green  growth 
of  the  snail  clover  resembles  that  of  burr  clover,  but  with  us  it  is  much 
ranker.  It  starts  from  the  seed  as  soon  as  the  earth  is  moistened  by 
the  fall  rains,  and  makes  a  strong  growth  during  the  winter  and  spring, 
drying  up  as  soon  as  its  vast  crop  of  seed-pods  ripens  early  in  the 
summer.  By  sowing  upon  orchard  ground,  plowed  as  early  as  practi- 
cable in  the  fall,  it  should  make  a  dense  mat  of  foliage  by  the  time  of 
the  spring  plowing.  It  seeds  so  freely  that  by  allowing  a  small  area  to 
go  unplowed  in  the  spring,  seed  enough  can  be  secured  for  covering  a 
considerable  area  of  orchard.  On  the  station  grounds  in  Berkeley  we 
sowed  12^  pounds  of  seed  on  about  one  quarter  of  an  acre,  and  secured 
400  pounds  of  seed-pods.  The  seed-pods  are  so  large  that  they  can  be 
easily  gathered  from  the  surface  of  the  ground  after  the  plant  has  dried 
up.  In  its  winter  growth,  therefore,  and  the  ease  with  which  the  seed 
can  be  produced,  the  snail  clover  offers  many  points  of  promise  as  a 
green-manure  plant.  We  advise  that  experimenters  devote  this  year 
to  observation  of  the  winter  growth  of  the  plant  in  their  localities,  and 
allow  the  plant  to  stand  until  maturity  to  get  seed  for  another  year's 
larger  sowing  and  plowing  under.  Soak  the  pods,  and  sow  rather  thinly 
broadcast  as  early  as  the  ground  can  be  put  in  shape,  and  cover  by 
raking  or  harrowing.     Seed  in  12-ounce  parcels,  10  cents  each  by  mail. 

Square  Pod  Pea  (Lotus  tetragonolobus). — We  offered  this  plant  for 
experiment  in  green-manuring  last  year,  but  were  unable  to  supply  the 
seed,  because  our  orders  placed  in  Europe  could  not  be  filled.  This 
year  we  have  a  supply  of  seed  of  our  own  growing.  From  our  observa- 
tion of  the  growth  of  the  plant  another  season,  we  are  less  confident  of 
its  value  for  the  purpose  contemplated.  Its  roots,  by  their  thick  incrus- 
tation of  tubercles,  show  that  the  plant  is  very  active  in  its  assimila- 
tion of  atmospheric  nitrogen,  but  more  observation  is  needed  on  its 
winter  growth  to  determine  its  availability  for  green-manuring  in  dif- 
ferent portions  of  the  State.  It  is  noticeably  less  hardy  than  snail  clover, 
and  more  sensitive  to  drought.  The  seed  should  be  sown  thinly  broad- 
cast on  newly  turned  soil,  and  raked  in.     Sown  in  January,  it  should 


Plate  I .    Snail  Clover.    Plant  reduced,  as  shown  in  scale  of  inches  ;  seed-pod  natural  size. 


be  ready  to  be  plowed  under  in  May.  In  some  places  earlier  sowing  and 
plowing  under  might  be  better.  We  hope  to  determine  these  points  by 
the  aid  of  our  correspondents  this  winter.  Seed  in  packets,  5  cents 
each. 

Crimson  Clover  (Trifolium  incarnation). — The  winter  growth  of  this 
plant,  according  to  our  observation  and  reports  made  to  us,  is  not  satis- 
factory, consequently,  it  does  not  serve  for  green-manuring  here  as  well 
as  it  does  in  the  East,  where  it  can  be  plowed  under  in  midsummer. 
It  makes  a  splendid  growth  in  most  parts  of  California  in  May  and 
June,  but  it  is  then  too  late  for  plowing  in.  We  are,  however,  constantly 
asked  for  the  seed,  and  can  furnish  it  to  those  who  desire  to  establish 
the  facts  for  themselves.  Seed  in  4-ounce  packets,  5  cents  each,  by  mail 
postpaid. 

DRY  LAND  GRASSES  AND  FORAGE  PLANTS. 

We  find  that  through  the  visits  of  stockmen  to  our  experiment 
grounds,  and  the  exhibition  of  our  collection  of  forage  plants  at  meet- 
ings of  farmers  and  dairymen,  there  has  arisen  renewed  demand  for 
seeds  of  plants  which  we  have  commended  for  dry  lands.  We  do  not 
present  any  of  these  plants  as  fully  satisfactory  on  dry  lands  nor  for 
use  where,  by  irrigation  or  occurrence  of  naturally  moist  land,  better 
plants,  such  as  alfalfa,  etc.,  can  be  grown.  We  have  found  that  plants 
which  best  endure  arid  conditions  are,  for  the  most  part,  coarse  plants, 
which  are  chiefly  valuable  because  they  accept  conditions  which  finer 
plants  reject,  but  even  they  have  their  limits  of  endurance,  for  heat  and 
drought  may  be  so  extreme  and  protracted  that  they  fail.  We  make 
this  explanation  because  some  of  our  correspondents  desire  to  substitute 
these  for  better  plants  which  their  soil  and  moisture  conditions  favor, 
and  others  expect  them  to  succeed  in  situations  actually  desert.  For 
neither  uses  do  we  commend  the  plants  we  shall  name  below,  but  we 
can  assure  our  correspondents  that  of  the  forage  plants  we  have  grown 
experimentally  and  distributed,  the  following  are  the  most  satisfactory 
for  dry  lands: 

True  Grasses. — The  following  are  true  grasses  (graminese).  The 
seeds  should  be  sown  in  places  where  their  growth  can  be  conveniently 
watched,  so  that  each  grower  can  determine  for  himself  which  ones 
should  be  largely  sown  the  following  year.  By  collecting  seed  from  a 
small  plot  a  large  area  can  soon  be  secured: 

1.  Tall  Oat  grass  (Arrhenatherum  avenaceum). 

2.  Awnless  Brome  grass  (Bromus  inermis). 

3.  Schrader's  Brome  grass  (Bromus  unioloides). 

4.  Japanese  Wheat  grass  (Agropyrum  japonicum). 

5.  Many-flowered  Millet  grass  (Milium  multiflorum) . 

6.  Hairy-flowered  Paspalum  (Paspalum  dilatatum). 

7.  Texas  Blue  grass  (Poa  arachnifera) . 

Of  any  of  the  first  six  named,  we  will  send  seed  at  5  cents  each  per 
package. 

No.  7  grows  best  from  the  roots,  of  which  we  send  a  package  for  10 
cents. 


—   8   — 

Flat  Pea  (Lathyrus  sylvestris). — Many  reports  from  California  grow- 
ers indicate  that  this  plant  may  prove  of  much  value  in  some 
parts  of  the  State.  It  does  not  succeed  in  the  presence  of  the  greatest 
heat  and  drought,  but  it  maintains  heavy  growth  with  very  little  moist- 
ure. The  flat  pea  is  a  perennial  legume  having  much  the  style  of  growth 
of  the  "everlasting  pea."  It  forms  a  dense  mat  of  haulm,  or  vine, 
which  completely  covers  the  ground,  the  stems  reaching  a  length  of  four 
feet  or  more.  In  this  locality  it  keeps  green  all  summer  without  irriga- 
tion. After  cutting,  a  second  growth  starts  at  once.  Analysis  of  the 
plant  made  at  this  station  (of  which  a  copy  will  be  sent  on  application) 
gives  it  high  nutritive  value.  The  plant  does  not  seed  in  this  locality. 
We  furnish  root-sets,  which  should  be  planted  in  the  garden  or  fieid 
corner  where  they  can  be  watched  and  protected  the  first  year.  If  the 
growth  be  satisfactory,  the  roots  can  be  planted  here  and  there  in  waste 
places  the  following  year.  We  will  send  a  small  package  of  roots  post- 
paid for  10  cents. 

Sacaline  (Polygonum  saghalinense) . — This  is  the  plant  which  has 
been  so  extravagantly  praised  in  newspapers  and  in  the  catalogues  of 
some  seedsmen  during  the  last  two  years.  We  do  not  approve  all  the 
claims  made  for  it,  and  we  do  not  advise  its  planting,  except  on  dry, 
waste  lands,  where  it  may  furnish  good  browsing  for  stock,  which  eat  it 
readily.  In  good  lands  there  is  a  danger  of  its  becoming  a  serious  pest, 
for  it  may  prove  difficult  to  eradicate.  The  plant  is  hard  to  start  from 
the  seed  under  ordinary  conditions.  We  furnish  rooted  plants  at  15 
cents  per  package,  postpaid. 

FORAGE    PLANTS   FOR   ALKALI   SOILS. 

Australian  Salt  Bush  (Atriplex  semibaccatum) . — The  past  year's 
experience  with  this  plant,  both  on  our  own  station  grounds  at  Tulare 
and  on  the  lands  of  scores  of  those  to  whom  we  furnished  seed  or  plants, 
shows  that  this  plant  has  peerless  adaptation .  for  growth  on  soils  too 
alkaline  to  support  any  other  useful  growth.  So  strongly  are  owners  of 
alkali  lands  impressed  with  this  fact  that  thousands  of  acres  will  be 
sown  this  winter.  Enthusiastic  correspondents  write  us  that  the  trial 
and  announcement  of  the  suitability  of  this  plant  are  worth  more  to 
California  than  all  the  money  the  University  Experiment  Stations 
have  cost  from  their  beginning.  The  introduction  of  the  plant  to 
owners  of  waste  alkali  lands  is  certainly  one  of  the  most  striking 
achievements  in  our  long-continued  policy  of  trial  and  distribution  of 
economic  plants.  Our  Bulletin  No.  105,  which  will  be  mailed  to  all 
applicants,  gives  observations  of  the  growth  of  the  plant,  hints  for  its 
culture,  and  investigations  into  its  food  value.  The  engravings  used 
herewith  show  its  wonderful  growth.  Small  plants  set  in  alkali  spots 
have  attained  a  thick,  matted  growth  sixteen  feet  in  diameter  in  a  single 
season.  The  crop,  calculated  on  the  basis  of  weighing  the  cut  from  a 
small  area,  should  reach  twenty  tons  of  green  feed,  or  five  tons  of  dry, 
from  an  acre,  and  probably  two  such  cuts  can  be  made  each  season. 
Three  parts  of  this  forage,  mixed  with  one  part  of  common  hay,  is 
readily  eaten  by  horses  and  cattle.  Sheep  and  hogs  eat  the  green  plant 
freely.  We  desire  to  have  it  tried  on  alkali  soils  everywhere,  in  order 
that  its  climatic  and  other  adaptations  may  be  definitely  determined. 


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Plate  II.    Australian  Salt  Bush  (Atriplex  semibaccatum),  showing  8  months' growth 
from  one  seed  ;  foliage  gathered  up  to  show  length. 


— 11  — 

Plants  may  be  grown  by  sowing  the  seed  in  boxes  or  garden  bed,  cover- 
ing very  lightly,  and  planting  out  the  seedlings  several  feet  apart,  when  a 
few  inches  high,  on  alkali  spots.  This  is  the  surest  way  to  get  the 
plant  established,  although  if  the  seed  be  scattered  on  the  surface  of 
the  alkali  soil  before  a  rain,  it  germinates  readily  when  the  heat  is 
adequate.  When  the  plant  once  gets  a  hold  on  the  soil,  it  covers 
the  ground  very  thickly  from  self-sown  seeds,  which  are  produced  in 
abundance.     We  send  seeds  at  5  cents  per  packet,  postpaid. 

Salt  Bush  No.  2  (Atriplex  leptocarpa). — Since  the  foregoing  has 
shown  such  value  in  this  State,  Baron  Von  Mueller  has  sent  us  seed  of 
another  salt  bush,  which  is  native  to  East  Australia.  It  is  reputed  to 
withstand  much  drought,  to  be  valuable  as  stock  feed,  and  to  produce  large 
quantities  of  seed  if  not  fed  down  to  closely.  We  desire  to  have  it  tried 
in  comparison  with  the  semibaccatum.  It  has  a  somewhat  larger  leaf, 
and  may  show  other  differences  in  feature  or  behavior.  We  have  only 
small  plants  in  pots  for  distribution  this  year.  We  will  send  three  in 
one  package  for  15  cents,  postpaid. 

Modiola  (Modiola  decumbens). — This  plant,  which  is  a  native  of  Chile, 
has  been  observed  growing  freely  on  alkali  lands  in  Kern  County.  How 
the  plant  was  introduced  is  not  known.  Last  winter,  Mr.  A.  B.  Leck- 
enby,  of  Bakersfield,  sent  specimens  to  us  for  identification,  with  the 
statement  that  it  grows  luxuriantly  on  alkali  land,  without  irrigation; 
that  sheep  eat  it  closely;  that  it  seems  as  well  fitted  for  horse  feed  as 
alfalfa,  and  that  cows  eat  it  in  preference  to  alfalfa,  and  improve  in  flow 
of  milk.  Analysis  of  the  plant  in  the  station  laboratory  shows  that  it 
is  almost  as  rich  in  flesh-forming  ingredients  as  alfalfa;  in  this  respect 
it  is  superior  to  the  salt  bushes.  Judging  from  the  Kern  County  obser- 
vations, this  plant  may  be  valuable  on  dry  and  waste  places,  even  when 
strongly  alkaline;  but  it  must  be  introduced  with  caution,  because  it  has 
a  habit  of  rooting  from  its  prostrate  stems,  and  therefore  will  be  very 
difficult  to  eradicate.  In  this  respect  it  is  very  different  from  the  salt 
bushes.  To  those  who  desire  to  try  the  modiola  in  places  which  are 
waste  and  remote  from  cultivated  lands,  Ave  will  send  small  packets  of 
seed  at  2  cents  each. 

TREES   AND    SHRUBS. 

Paper  Mulberry  Tree  (Broussonetia  papyrifera). — A  tree  indigenous 
to  the  east  coast  of  Asia  and  the  Pacific  islands.  It  is  not  a  "  mulberry  " 
(Morus),  nor  can  its  leaves  be  used  for  silk  worms,  though  they  suggest 
the  mulberry  in  form.  The  tree  sometimes  attains  a  height  of  40  feet, 
and  the  bark  was  formerly  used  in  large  quantities  to  make  the  strong 
paper,  or  paper-cloth,  which  was  used  by  the  Pacific  Islanders  for  clothing 
before  the  introduction  of  European  cloths.  It  still  supplies  the  chief 
material  for  the  strong  Japanese  paper.  The  tree  is  offered  for  trial  as 
an  ornamental,  and  as  interesting  also  to  those  who  like  to  make  collec- 
tions of  plants  with  unique  economic  history.  For  the  making  of  cloth 
the  plant  was  grown  like  an  osier  willow,  and  the  tender  bark  stripped 
from  the  shoots.  For  ornamental  purposes  it  should  be  trained  to  tree 
form.  In  moist  ground  it  is  liable  to  sucker  abundantly  from  the  roots. 
It  will  probably  prove  hardy  in  all  except  the  mountain  region  of  Cali- 


—  12  — 

fornia.     We  will  send  a  package  of  three  small  plants  by  mail  for  25 
cents,  postpaid. 

English  Oak  (Quercus  robur). — This  is  exceedingly  satisfactory  as  a 
rapid-growing  hard  wood  and  shade  tree  in  the  coast  region  of  California 
at  least,  and  deserves  wide  planting.  As  there  is  some  difficulty  in 
transplanting,  we  will  send  acorns  to  those  who  desire  to  start  trees  in 
permanent  place.  Half-pound  packages  of  fresh  California-grown 
acorns,  8  cents  each  by  mail,  postpaid. 

Guavas. — We  have  grown  five  varieties  of  guavas  from  seed  received 
from  the  Botanic  Gardens  at  Lucknow,  India.  These  are  among  the 
best  sorts  of  that  region,  and  we  offer  them  for  trial,  in  comparison  with 
varieties  already  grown  in  this  State.     They  are  as  follows: 

No.  1.  Large,  white-fleshed. 

No.  2.  Smooth,  green. 

No.  3.  Small,  red-fleshed. 

No.  4.  Allahabad. 

No.  5.  Large,  red-fleshed. 

We  will  send  packages  containing  one  plant  of  each  variety  for  40 
cents,  postpaid. 

TOBACCO. 

The  increasing  interest  in  tobacco,  through  its  advocacy  as  a  possible 
California  product,  induced  us  to  grow  on  our  station  grounds  in  Berke- 
ley a  large  collection  of  the  leading  varieties,  for  the  purpose  of  obtain- 
ing seed  for  distribution,  and  to  make  experiments  in  curing.  This 
collection,  during  its  growth,  attracted  wide  attention,  and  some  very 
creditable  samples  of  leaf  were  produced,  though  the  local  climate  is 
not  very  well  adapted  to  the  crop.  The  hints  which  we  can  give  to 
experimenters  for  the  growth  and  handling  of  the  crop  will  be  pub- 
lished on  a  separate  sheet,  and  sent  to  all  who  desire  it.  The  varieties 
which  we  offer  for  trial  are  as  follows: 

Cigar  Varieties. 

1.  Sumatra.  8.  Comstock  Spanish.  15.  San  Juan  de  los  Remedios. 

2.  Zummer's  Spanish.  9.  Little  Dutch.  16.  Pure  Havana. 

3.  Connecticut  Seed  Leaf.      10.  East  Hartford.  17.  Partidas. 

4.  Harby  (Turkish).  11.  Vuelta  de  Abajo.  18.  Litte  Orinoco. 

5.  Pumelly.  12.  Persian  Rose.  *  19.  Fiji  Orinoco. 

6.  Landreth.  13.  Persian.  20.  Brazilian. 

7.  Imported  Havana.  14.  Rano  de  Sumatra.  21.  Remedios. 

Plug  or  Smoking  Tobacco  Varieties. 

22.  Locks.  27.  Imp.  White  Burley.  32.  Elkerson's  Yellow. 

23.  Conqueror.  28.  Yellow  Pryor.  33.  White  Burley. 

24.  Ragland's  Imp.  Bright.  29.  Granville  Yellow.  34.  Flaragar. 

25.  Bullion.  30.  Sweet  Orinoco.  35.  Famions. 

26.  Hester.  31.  Ragland's  I'p.Yel.Orinoco. 

The  seed  will  be  furnished  in  small  packets  at  2  cents  for  each  variety 
ordered.     Use  the  numbers  in  ordering. 


—  13  — 

SUGAR   CANE. 

Through  the  courtesy  of  Hon.  Sterling  J.  Morton,  Secretary  of  Agri- 
culture, we  are  enabled  to  offer  for  distribution  a  collection  of  varieties 
of  tropical  sugar  cane  originally  obtained  from  the  Spreckels  planta- 
tions, Hawaiian  Islands.  This  collection  has  been  grown  on  Union 
Island,  San  Joaquin  County,  at  a  special  sugar  experiment  station  estab- 
lished by  the  Department  of  Agriculture  in  accordance  with  Congres- 
sional provisions.  The  trial  shows  that  the  locality  is  not  adapted  to 
the  successful  growth  of  tropical  cane,  and  the  station  is  to  be  closed  at 
the  end  of  the  present  season.  In  some  other  parts  of  the  State,  where 
a  higher  mean  summer  temperature  is  associated  with  adequate  moist- 
ure, these  canes  can  be  grown  as  garden  plants,  affording  sweet  fiber  for 
family  chewing,  and  limited  quantities  can  sometimes  be  sold  from  the 
city  fruit  stands.  We  do  not  commend  the  growth  of  cane  as  a  commer- 
cial commodity,  but  in  favorable  localities  it  may  be  interesting  and 
valuable  in  a  small  way.     We  offer  the  following  varieties: 


No.  1. 

Rose  Bamboo. 

No.  2. 

Big  Ribbon. 

No.  3. 

Ottamattie. 

No.  4. 

Yellow  Caledonia. 

No.  5. 

L.  Chong  Pimululi. 

We  will  send  five-pound  bundles  of  butts.  They  are  too  heavy  to  send 
by  mail,  and  express  charges  must  be  met  by  recipients.  Our  charge 
for  packing  is  25  cents  for  one  variety,  and  10  cents  additional  for  each 
additional  variety  selected.  The  butts  should  be  laid  flat  when  planted, 
and  covered  with  about  three  inches  of  light  soil. 

TABLE  GRAPES  FROM  PERSIA. 

We  were  unable  to  supply  all  applicants  for  these  grapes  last  year, 
and  have  consequently  continued  their  propagation.  The  grapes  of  the 
table  lands  of  Persia  have  won  praise  from  all  travelers  who  have  eaten 
them.  These  vines  are  of  the  Vitis  vinifera,  but  the  fruit  has  quite  a 
distinctive  character  when  compared  with  the  varieties  chiefly  grown  in 
the  west  of  Europe.  Professor  H.  E.  Van  Deman,  ex-Pomologist  of  the 
Department  of  Agriculture,  secured,  through  the  kindly  aid  of  Hon.  E. 
Spencer  Pratt,  ex-Minister  at  Teheran,  an  importation  of  the  best  Per- 
sian varieties.  These  vines  were  in  part  entrusted  to  this  station. 
Those  varieties  which  we  have  fruited  ripen  very  early,  about  with  the 
Sweetwater,  and  as  they  are  much  firmer  fleshed  and  tougher  skinned 
than  that  variety,  they  may  prove  of  high  value  for  early  shipping. 
The  berries  of  the  varieties  we  have  fruited  thus  far  are  of  large  size, 
long-oval  form,  and  good  quality.  We  offer  the  following  varieties;  the 
descriptions  are  imperfect,  as  some  have  not  yet  fruited: 

1.  Paykaynee  RazuJcee:  Bright  red,  large,  long,  few  seeds. 

2.  Dizmar:  Light  yellow,  very  sweet,  long  tapering. 

3.  Khallillee:  Said  to  be  the  earliest  in  Persia. 

4.  AsTcaree:  Widely  grown  in  Persia  and  used  both  for  table  and 

drying;  black,  resembling  Cornichon,  but  considerably  earlier. 


—  14  — 

5.  Risk  Baba:  Also  a  leading  variety  in  the  Orient  for  table  and 

drying;  and  said  to  keep  until  spring. 

6.  Hutab:  A  large,  sweet  grape. 

7.  Shiraz:  Named  for  one  of  the  most  important  grape  regions  of 

Persia,  where  it  is  a  leading  sort. 

8.  Alhakahee:  Red,  said  to  be  suited  for  long  keeping. 

9.  Chavooshee:  Green,  a  rare  variety  in  Persia. 

10.  White  Shahanee:  Large,  oblong,  light  color. 

11.  Black  Shahanee:  Presumably  like  the  preceding,  except  in  color. 

12.  Unnamed  Varieties:  We  have  eight  varieties,  which,  in  the  im- 

portation, were  designated  only  by  numerals.  It  is  impossi- 
ble to  ascertain  their  names.  They  are  presumably  as 
desirable  as  the  others.  After  fruiting  it  may  be  possible 
to  name  them  if  good  Persian  descriptions  can  be  obtained. 
If  not,  they  may  be  given  local  names. 

We  will  send  one  vine  of  each  kind  at  the  rate  of  5  cents  for  each 
variety  ordered,  by  mail,  postpaid. 

GRAINS. 

Hackett's  Australian  Wheat. — A  fine  variety  sent  us  by  E.  W. 
Hackett,  of  Adelaide,  South  Australia.  It  proves  with  us  a  very  strong 
growing  and  prolific  sort.     Seed  in  1-ib.  sacks,  15  cents  each  by  mail. 

Nepaul  Barley. — We  distributed  seed  of  this  valuable  barley  eight 
or  ten  years  ago.  Since  then  it  has  been  extensively  tested  at  the 
experiment  stations,  particularly  in  the  San  Joaquin  Valley,  and  its 
value  for  hay  is  well  ascertained.  It  is  a  beardless  barley,  with  very 
heavy  heads  for  the  type,  yielding  a  large  amount  of  hay,  and  possess- 
ing the  further  advantage  that  the  leaves  remain  green  late,  so  that  it 
can  be  cut  for  hay  when  the  grain  is  more  mature  than  in  ordinary 
varieties.  It  is  difficult  to  obtain  clean  seed.  That  which  we  shall 
send  was  sown  on  clean  ground,  and  the  heads  were  cut  by  hand. 
Those  receiving  this  seed  should  give  it  a  little  extra  attention,  on  clean 
land,  until  seed  enough  is  obtained  to  sow  a  large  field.  Seed,  in  l-ft>. 
sacks,  15  cents  each  by  mail,  postpaid. 

Seed  and  Fiber  Flaxes. — As  the  growth  of  flax  is  being  urged  upon 
the  attention  of  our  farmers  by  the  oil-makers,  who  are  dependent  upon 
imported  seed  for  their  raw  material,  we  resume  our  offer  of  seeds  to 
those  who  desire  to  experiment.  The  best  variety  for  seed  production 
is  that  known  as  Californian;  for  fiber  and  seed  combined,  we  offer  four 
varieties  of  the  best  European  fiber  flaxes,  which  attain  about  twice  the 
length  of  stem  of  the  variety  grown  for  seed  in  this  State.  The  whole 
list  is  as  follows:  No.  1,  White-flowering  French;  No.  2,  Royal  of  Ger- 
many; No.  3,  Russian;  No.  4,  Yellow-seeded;  No.  5,  Californian.  Flax 
is  hardy,  and  withstands  ordinary  California  winter  frosts.  It  should 
be  sown  early;  at  about  the  time  cereals  are  sown,  and  the  same  pre- 
cautions should  be  taken  to  kill  early  growth  of  weeds,  just  as  it  is 
done  for  wheat  sowing.  The  flax  will  do  better  if  sown  in  wide  drills 
and  cultivated,  but  will  make  good  returns  by  ordinary  drill  sowing,  or 
even  if  sown  broadcast.     Care  must  be  taken  not  to  cover  the  seed  too 


—  15  — 

deeply.     We  send  seed  in  l-ft>.  sacks,  15  cents  for  each  variety,  by  mail,, 
postpaid. 

Buckwheats. — We  have  a  collection  of  five  varieties,  as  follows:  No. 
1,  Californian;  No.  2,  Asiatic;  No.  3,  Chinese;  No.  4,  Marginatum;  No. 
5,  Japanese.  These  were  obtained  from  different  sources,  and  have  dis- 
tinguishing varietal  characters.  Nos.  2,  3,  and  5  are  best  adapted  for 
bee  pasture,  because  of  long  blooming  season.  For  the  same  reason 
they  are  less  satisfactory  to  handle  as  a  seed  crop.  We  send  seed  in 
l-ft>.  sacks,  15  cents  for  each  variety,  by  mail,  postpaid. 

SEEDS   FOR    THE    GARDEN. 

Ceylon  Pea. — This  garden  pea  came  to  us  without  a  local  name,  nor 
have  we  yet  been  able  to  ascertain  it.  Since  our  first  distribution  of  the 
seed,  it  has  been  commended  by  our  correspondents  as  having  special 
value  as  a  late  pea  for  the  table,  and  for  canning.  It  grows  notably 
well  both  in  the  interior  and  on  the  coast  to  the  southern  limit  of  the 
State.  It  produces  very  large  pods,  and  is  very  prolific  in  bearing. 
From  our  trial  plot  24x34  feet,  we  harvested  52  pounds  of  dry  seed; 
equivalent  to  2,775  pounds  per  acre.  The  variety  seems  very  hardy. 
Dr.  Goldmann,  of  the  Santa  Cruz  Mountains,  reports  that  he  had  green 
peas  on  December  31st,  and  bid  fair  to  have  them  all  winter.  We  send 
the  seed  in  4-ounce  packages  at  5  cents,  postpaid. 

New  Zealand  Spinach  (Tetragonia  expansa). — This  is  another  plant 
previously  distributed  from  this  station,  which  should  be  much  more 
widely  grown.  It  is  described  by  Von  Mueller  as  a  good  culinary  herb, 
and  as  useful  for  restraining  drifting  sands ;  growing  even  during 
severest  heat  and  drought.  Our  correspondents  speak  of  it  in  the  high- 
est terms  as  a  table  vegetable.  Mr.  Robert  Hastie,  of  Contra  Costa 
County,  writes:  "It  grows  all  summer  in  very  dryland  and  holds  a 
beautiful  dark  green  until  frost  comes,  and  the  growth  starts  again  the 
next  year  from  the  root.  As  an  ornamental  plant  where  water  is  scarce, 
and  for  the  table,  it  has  no  superior."  Seed,  5  cents  per  package,  post- 
paid. 

Orach,  or  Mountain  Spinach  (Atriplex  hortensis).  —  A  tall,  hardy 
annual,  native  of  Tartary,  largely  grown  in  France  both  as  a  vegetable 
and  as  an  ornamental  plant  for  high  borders,  etc.  The  seed  came  from 
Kabylia,  and  is  a  giant  variety  of  orach,  highly  commended  by  the 
Director  of  the  Botanic  Garden  at  Algiers,  Mustafa.  The  seed  was  do- 
nated by  Dr.  F.  Franceschi,  of  Santa  Barbara.  We  have  found  it  a  very 
free  grower,  and,  judging  by  its  success  in  the  region  whence  the  seed 
came,  it  should  be  satisfactory  in  the  interior  of  California.  It  seems  to 
us  much  inferior  to  the  New  Zealand  spinach,  but  is  worth  trying  to 
better  determine  its  value.  Seed  in  packages,  3  cents  each,  by  mail, 
postpaid. 

Melde's  Perennial  Bean. — A  handsome,  large,  white  bean,  with  a 
perennial  root,  from  which  climbing  runners  start  each  year.  Seed,  3 
cents  per  package. 


—  16  — 

Irvine's  Hybrid  Perennial  Bean.  —  Originated  on  the  station 
grounds  and  believed  to  be  a  cross  between  the  Painted  Lady  and  the 
Lima.  It  is  larger  than  Meld-:'s  bean,  plump,  pure  white.  Seed,  3  cents 
per  package. 

Rose  Poppy. — A  very  striking  variety  in  form  and  color,  which  justi- 
fies the  selection  of  name  for  it.  It  is  the  result  of  continuous  selection 
by  Mr.  E.  L.  Horton,  Jr.,  of  East  Steamburg,  N.  Y.,  to  whom  we  are 
indebted  for  the  seed.  It  is  certainly  a  very  valuable  acquisition  for 
the  garden  of  annuals.     Packet  by  mail,  3  cents,  postpaid. 

Application  for  seeds  and  plants  should  be  made  as  soon  as  this 
announcement  is  received.  We  are  unable  to  continue  distribution 
throughout  the  year. 

Address, 

E.  J.  WICKSON, 

Berkeley,  Cal. 
Berkeley,  November,  1895. 


